Jul 29th - Bath

Off out and about town this morning to re-visit some some of the sites that have helped Bath become the only city in the UK to be designated a World Heritage Site in its entirety. 

First off was a visit to to the Pulteney Bridge on the River Avon.  Only one of four in the world to have shops across its full span on both sides, the bridge is in such esteemed company as Venice, Florence, and Erfurt, 

Our next stop was to the beautiful ‘Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul’, a.k.a. Bath Abbey.  Though ‘only’ a parish church, because of its size and magnificence it gives the impression of being a cathedral.  The church is also not a real abbey either, due to the absence of monks or nuns, but apparently Queen Elizabeth the First mistakenly called it such and so it’s been called one ever since. 

Being keen to make the most of our National Trust membership our next port of call was to Prior Park, a stunning 18th century landscaped garden designed by Capability Brown.  Overlooked by a neo-classical mansion, this 28 acre park features a Palladian styled bridge across a scenic lake and with some great views of the city.

Last on our list today was a visit to ‘Royal Crescent’ and ‘The Circus’, both well known for their stunning rows of stately Georgian architecture.  Designed by architects John Wood the Elder and his son of the same name, they were built between 1767 and 1775.  One of the conditions of sale at purchase was that those who wished to buy one of the homes had to accept the exterior design but were free, however, to do whatever they wanted with the interior.  Therefore, all interiors of all properties are different. 

Top: Not my photo!


In a very similar design to the Royal Crescent, The Circus contains three segments of townhouses, each of equal length, and apparently forming a circle with the same dimensions of Stonehenge.  It really is pretty spectacular. 

Bottom R: Not my photo!


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